Definition: distinguish

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

distinguish
     v 1: mark as different; "We distinguish several kinds of maple"
          [syn: separate, differentiate, secern, secernate,
           severalize, tell, tell apart]
     2: detect with the senses; "The fleeing convicts were picked
        out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards"; "I
        can't make out the faces in this photograph" [syn: recognize,
         recognise, discern, pick out, make out, tell
        apart]
     3: be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in
        a very positive sense; "His modesty distinguishes him form
        his peers" [syn: mark, differentiate]
     4: make conspicuous [syn: signalize]
     5: as in in botany or biology, for example [syn: identify, discover,
         key, key out, describe, name]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Distinguish \Dis*tin"guish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   Distinguished; p. pr. & vb. n. Distinguishing.] [F.
   distinguer, L. distinguere, distinctum; di- = dis- +
   stinguere to quench, extinguish; prob. orig., to prick, and
   so akin to G. stechen, E. stick, and perh. sting. Cf.
   Extinguish.]
   1. Not set apart from others by visible marks; to make
      distinctive or discernible by exhibiting differences; to
      mark off by some characteristic.

            Not more distinguished by her purple vest, Than by
            the charming features of her face.    --Dryden.

            Milton has distinguished the sweetbrier and the
            eglantine.                            --Nares.

   2. To separate by definition of terms or logical division of
      a subject with regard to difference; as, to distinguish
      sounds into high and low.

            Moses distinguished the causes of the flood into
            those that belong to the heavens, and those that
            belong to the earth.                  --T. Burnet.

   3. To recognize or discern by marks, signs, or characteristic
      quality or qualities; to know and discriminate (anything)
      from other things with which it might be confounded; as,
      to distinguish the sound of a drum.

            We are enabled to distinguish good from evil, as
            well as truth from falsehood.         --Watts.

            Nor more can you distinguish of a man, Than of his
            outward show.                         --Shak.

   4. To constitute a difference; to make to differ.

            Who distinguisheth thee?              --1 Cor. iv.
                                                  7. (Douay
                                                  version).

   5. To separate from others by a mark of honor; to make
      eminent or known; to confer distinction upon; -- with by
      or for.``To distinguish themselves by means never tried
      before.'' --Johnson.

   Syn: To mark; discriminate; differentiate; characterize;
        discern; perceive; signalize; honor; glorify.

Distinguish \Dis*tin"guish\, v. i.
   1. To make distinctions; to perceive the difference; to
      exercise discrimination; -- with between; as, a judge
      distinguishes between cases apparently similar, but
      differing in principle.

   2. To become distinguished or distinctive; to make one's self
      or itself discernible. [R.]

            The little embryo . . . first distinguishes into a
            little knot.                          --Jer. Taylor.